SIMSBURY, Conn. (RNS) At age 75, Betty Holden in on a crusade to repair broken rosaries. She's been at it for almost 20 years, spending several hours a day behind a pair of needle-nose pliers. By Ann Marie Somma.

(RNS) New research shows that Catholics report the lowest proportion of strongly affiliated followers among major American religious traditions. Evangelicals, on the other hand, are increasingly devout and committed to their faith. By David Gibson.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) Latin is not a dead language, at least if Pope Benedict gets its way. He created a new Vatican academy to promote the study and knowledge of Latin in the church and in society. By Alessandro Speciale

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) All those stories about Mitt Romney's White House bid and his Mormon faith educated millions of observant Americans about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Still, some “understandings” remain misunderstandings — and many views of the religion continue to be skewed, exaggerated or flat-out wrong. Here are 12 persistent myths about Mormonism. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

Photographs of a Mormon service at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Lenexa Ward on Sunday June 17, 2012 in Lenexa, Kan. These slideshows were created by Religion News Service to provide our readers with an inside look at various religious services. From a Catholic Mass to prayer at a mosque, these images help understand the culture and diversity of the religious world, as well as how people pray and celebrate their religion.  Photos by Sally Morrow / Religion News Service

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) Rather than wait for possible excommunication from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mormon blogger David Twede has resigned his membership. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

NEW ORLEANS (RNS) As pediatricians gathered here for the American Academy of Pediatrics convention, they were greeted by protesters urging the medical group to rethink its position on an issue that makes most people squirm: the circumcision of newborn boys. By John Pope.

WASHINGTON (RNS) A coalition of evangelicals is calling on fellow Christians who oppose abortion to support family planning across the globe. By Adelle M. Banks.

(RNS) The number of Americans not affiliated with any religion has hit an all-time high. We asked religious leaders to give us the reasons behind the eye-popping statistics.  

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) In a surprising move that promises to transform Mormon social and spiritual dynamics, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is lowering the age of full-time missionary service to age 18 for Mormon men (down from 19) and 19 for women (down from 21). By Peggy Fletcher Stack and Lisa Schencker/The Salt Lake Tribune.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) A Mormon blogger accused of apostasy for writing critical web essays about church history, temple worship and contemporary issues has been given a reprieve, for now. By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) A Mormon blogger who has written critical web essays about Mormon history, temple worship and contemporary issues -- including about GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney -- is facing church discipline for “apostasy.” By Peggy Fletcher Stack.

(RNS) The blowing of the shofar, the ram's horn that rouses the soul on the Jewish New Year, has traditionally been assigned to an august member of a synagogue. But the art of shofar blowing is now for anyone who can manage to get a sound out of the instrument. By Lauren Markoe.